Safe Holiday Driving in Oklahoma City

Merry Christmas, Oklahoma City... With the holiday season in full swing, many will make the celebratory rounds, from work events and parties with friends to the boisterous family get togethers. It's always a good idea to prepare for the possibility of that festive spirit being taken a bit too far. Designated drivers are an option, of course, but unfortunately, those plans do not always go the way they're supposed to. So you should have a backup plan, just in case. Here are some safe holiday transportation options in Oklahoma City.

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Take a Cab

••• Photo: Thanasis Zovoilis / Getty Images

The most obvious option is to simply a take cab. Call from home and go worry free. If you have already driven to an event and decide to drink, just park your car and call one of the area taxi companies. Even if you're ticketed or have your car towed, it is far, far better than the repercussions of driving drunk. Uber and Lyft are both in the Oklahoma City market now as well, providing two more easy and convenient ride options.

Oklahoma City's transit operator is called Embark, and though the buses do not operate on Christmas Day or New Year's Day, there is regular service on popular party days such as Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve. Plus, it is a lot cheaper than a taxi. Get details on costs and current routes.

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Tipsy Tow

A service from AAA Oklahoma, Tipsy Tow is available in metro area communities of Oklahoma City, Lawton and Shawnee. And you do not have to be a AAA member in order to take advantage of the program. Tipsy Tow is free, and there are no questions asked. It provides a ride home and tow service for anyone who has had too much to drink and should not be behind the wheel. In 2017, Tipsy Tow runs from 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 15 to 4 a.m. Monday, Jan. 1, 2018. Just call 800-222-4357.

If you are a student at the University of Oklahoma, you should know about the free, confidential SafeRide program. It is a taxi transportation voucher option available within the Norman city limits. Simply visit the University of Oklahoma Student Association (UOSA) offices located in the Conoco Wing of the Oklahoma Memorial Union (OMU) to pick up a voucher that is good that weekend from Thursday through Saturday, 10 p.m. to 3 a.m.

If your friends won't do it, pay someone. Perhaps you have read about the designated driver service BeMyDD. The company operates in nearly 80 cities throughout the United States, and Oklahoma City is one of them. All you have to do is plan in advance by submitting a reservation. Pay a per hour charge to have your own personal driver or choose the pickup service for you and your car.

Personal injury law firm Hasbrook & Hasbrook offers a free holiday ride program at New Year's Eve and other holidays. Available for OKC metro residents from 7 p.m. to 10 a.m. the next morning, it allows credit for an Uber ride up to $30. See oklahomalawyer.com for details.